Wasano's picks are perfect

He also preaches to them that sportsmanship overshadows all
other factors -- even winning.

"That is the most important thing," he said.

When I mentioned to him that his team displayed uncommonly good
manners during breakfast, he did not want to take any credit.

"We have some very good parents in this league," Wasano said. "I
do try to be the dad as best as I can for all of them. I have told
them there is more to life than baseball. I keep telling them to
have fun and appreciate their families."

A pretty impressive guy, this Wasano. But he is also a realist.
The team has ended pool play and moves into a single-elimination
format.

"Anything can happen," he said. "You can be 4-0 in pool play and
have a bad game, and you are out. We will have to be on our 'A'
game."

Steve Scholfield is senior sports columnist for the North County
Times. He can be reached at (760) 740-3509 or
sports@nctimes.com.